Lifting attachment for glass table tops



April 11, 1950 K. F. SCHMIDT 2,503,565

LIFTING ATTACHMENT. FOR GLASS TABLE TOPS Filed July 25, 1947 Tcd L Tyc. Tmm.

, \NvENTog KARL F. 5cm/u DT lli! g Ao RNEYs Patented pr. 11, 1,950

` UNITED STATES PATNToF'FlcE;

2,503,565 y Y, LIFTING nrrncnrirnsl'jrsron GLASS TABLE` Karl F. schmidt, Grana Rapids, Mich. Application July 23, 1947,1SerialNo. .762,883

This invention relates to a lift for glass inset top plates which may be used on tables, or other articles of furniture having similar tops.

In such tables the horizontal top member, usually of wood or equivalent material, is surrounded by a border frame, the upper edges -of which eX- tend above the upper surface of the horizontal top member a short distance. In the shallow recess thus provided, a glass plate is located. The removal of the plate in practice has been by tipping the table partly over so that the plate will fall out by gravity. This is an awkward operation, also one in which the glass may be broken if it is not carefully handled.

With my invention, a very practical and simple, substantially concealed means is used for lifting the glass plate at an edge thereof, at a side or end of the table, a distance suiiicient that the edge of the glass may be grasped and the plate thereafter removed.

It is an object and purpose of the present invention to provide such glass plate lifting device in conjunction with the horizontal top member of the table, and one which is economical to produce and is very readily and easily installed; and in operation is sure and certain for effectively elevating the glass plate to a position such that it may be easily removed.

An understanding of the invention may be had from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a table structure having my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section, substantially on the plane of line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with the glass plate in its normal position.

Fig. 3 is a similar section showing the plate elevated at one side, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial elevation and vertical section of the main lifting element used.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawing.

As shown in Fig. 1, the invention is shown applied to a small rectangular table having a border frame l around the horizontal top member 2, the upper side of said member 2 being located a short distance below the upper edges of the frame. The invention is not limited to rectangular tables, but may be used with tables of many and various outlines. Within the shallow recess above the horizontal member 2, and surrounded at its sides and ends by the parts of the frame I which are above the upper side of the member 2, a rectangular glass plate 3 is located.

At one or more places near an edge, or it may be at more than one edge, of the top member 2, a recess 4 is made in its upper side. While in the disclosure of the invention the glass lifter is vshown near onelside of is used in Fig. 1, it is apparent that, if Wanted,

the plate, and one ,only

the liftervvmay be usedat both sides or at an end, or both ends, each being independently operable.

A cylindrical shank 5 having a head 6 is axially bored from its lower end upwardly for a distance and interiorly threaded. The threaded shank of a screw 1 is to be screwed into the interiorly threaded shank 5, with a washer 8 preferably between the head of the screw and the lower end of the part 5.

An opening from the bottom of the recess through the top member 2 is bored for passage of the shank 5. The head G is flat at its upper side and has a thickness such that when in the recess 4, the upper side of the head is substantially flush with the upper side of the horizontal top member 2. After the shank is passed through the top member 2, a light strength coiled compression spring 9 is placed over it and the screw and washer 8 connected. The spring is under a light compression, bearing at its lower end upon the washer 8 and at its upper end against the under side of the top member 2. Thus the table lifter when free takes the position shown in Fig. 2 with the head 6 within the recess 4 and the plate 3 above it.

When the glass 3 is to be lifted for removal, or any other reason, pressing upwardly against the head of the screw 1 moves the lifter to the position shown in Fig. 3, with the side edge of the plate 3 above the adjacent side of the frame I. The spring 9 is compressed in this operation. As soon as lifting pressure against the screw 'l is removed, the lifter returns to its normal lower position. When in the position shown in Fig. 3, the elevated edge of the glass 3 may be grasped by the fingers and the plate 3 removed or otherwise handled.

The invention is very practical and useful and is readily and economically manufactured and installed.

The invention is defined in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a structure as described, a table having a, horizontal top, a border frame surrounding said top at all edges thereof, said border frame at its upper edge portions extending above the upper side of said horizontal top thereby providing a shallow recess over the entire top adapted to receive a covering plate in said recess with the edges of said covering plate covered by the projecting portions of said border frames and inaccessible for engagement, said top near lan edge thereof having a vertical opening therethrough, a vertical stem freely passing through said opening having a head at its upper end of greater transverse dimensions than the stem, said top 3 being recessed at its upper side to receive said head whereby the upper side of the head is substantially ush with the upper side of said top when in lowest position, said stern having a length that in its lowermost position, with the head thereon flush with the upper side of the table top, its lower end is accessible from the adjacent side of the top and under the adjacent border frame to lift a cover plate at the adjacent edge portion thereof above the adjacent border frame.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, said stem at the lower end thereof having a head of greater transverse dimension than the transverse dimension of said stem and a light coiled spring around said stem between said lower head and underside of the top.

KARL F. SCHMIDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,375,488 Chmielowski Apr. 19, 1921 1,429,092 Paronteau Sept. 12, 1922 1,906,213 Neuschotz Mar. 29, 1930 2,022,013 Thomas Nov. 26, 1935 2,061,622 Ferney Nov. 24, 1936 2,163,039 Jenkins June 20, 1939 Y 2,289,514 Mastney et al July 14, 1942 2,386,114 Hayes Oct. 2, 1945 

